Blog Tour: The Caller – M A Comley & Tara Lyons

Welcome to The Caller blog tour!

I kindly received a copy of the book from the authors in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

About the book

Published: 16th June 2016 (Jeamel Publishing Limited)

The first gripping book in The Organised Crime Team series by NY Times bestselling author of the Justice series, M A Comley and co-author Tara Lyons, author of In The Shadows.

When The Caller rings… what would you do?

The Organised Crime Team is a newly-formed unit with one of the toughest tasks in London. Led by DI Angie North, their first investigation is a cold case that has foxed several officers in the Met for months.

After Angie holds a TV appeal regarding the case, a number of similar aggressive attacks are brought to her attention. The team call on their contacts on the street for help. Their interest is sparked when several local names surface.

To bring the criminals to justice a member of the Organised Crime Team is asked to risk their life in a dangerous covert operation.

My Review:

I have not previously read any books from MA Comley or Tara Lyons so I am now so pleased to have discovered them both and will definitely be reading more. I really enjoyed this book, The Caller is the first in the Organised Crime Team series. It isn’t for the feint hearted though, there is swearing and violence, however these are not used gratuitously, they bring the characters to life and do add to the story….what gang doesn’t use profanities!

The Caller opens with a prologue of Tyler and Malc decieving a woman into giving them her address and allowing them into her home with the pretence of a parcel delivery. They enter her home to steal valuables however Tyler takes it way too far! We are then introduced to Duke as the prologue is an initiation exercise into the gang, Streetlife. The gang is headed up by Duke following the killing of the previous head, Leroy who was Duke’s father figure. As a result, Duke is trying to increase his gang numbers to avenge Leroy’s death by a rival gang.

The Organised Crime Team (or the OCT) is a new team set up to attempt to rid the London streets of organised crime, headed up by DI Angie North who has been promoted into the role by DCI Raymond Channing. Channing has assembled the team and they are all strangers to one another so are all starting on an equal footing. Their first investigation is the murder of two women in their own homes with similar MOs.

Comley and Lyons have done very well in creating an entertaining and gripping storyline combined with the introduction of characters and setting. I thought the introduction of the team was well done, introducing themselves to not only each other but also to the reader. I enjoyed the dynamic of the different characters through their differing backgrounds and expertise.

I particularly liked Angie North, she’s welcoming, warm and it’s clear that what you see is what you get. She has time for each of her team on an individual basis and seems like a very fair person to work for and alongside. Angie is also a family woman, comes from a loving marriage to Warren and they have a 14 year old son. It’s refreshing to see a female character who is succeeding in both her career and her personal life. Whilst Warren has his own business, he is also very supportive of Angie and her career.

Comley and Lyons have succeeded in making The Caller flow, there is no hint of the fact that the story has been written by two authors. It is full of pace and tension, I really got involved in the story and felt part of the team. I look forward to reading more from these authors, both individually and as a paring, and I look forward to more investigations from the OCT!

About M.A. Comley

New York times, USA Today, Amazon Top 20 bestselling author, iBooks top 5 bestselling and #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble. I am a British author who moved to France in 2002, and that’s when I turned my hobby into a career. I’m fortunate to be represented by a top New York agent.

I share my home with two crazy dogs that like nothing better than to drag their masterful leader (that’s me) around the village.

About Tara Lyons

At the age of 30, I decided to fulfil my life long dream of becoming a writer. Thanks to some amazing people in my life, I’ve had the chance to make that a reality. And so, my debut novel, In the Shadows, was born.

I am excited to be working with NY Times and USA Today best selling author, Mel Comley. Our novella, Web of Deceit is available now, and we are currently creating a new crime series together.

When I’m not writing you’ll find me in a near-by Wacky Warehouse stuck in the ball-pit with my son. I have a love of chocolate peanuts and reading – and prefer to enjoy them both with a strong cuppa.